The district was legally created on 5 February 1861, during the government of President Ramon Castilla.
Geography
Sonche River near Huancas
Huancas District covers an area of 49 km2 and has a population of 1,305.[1]
The capital is the town of Huancas, which is a 15-minute drive from the city of Chachapoyas. Huancas is located at a height of 2,558 m (8,392 ft) above sea level, in an area where high Amazon rainforest drops to the Sonche River, 962 m (3,156 ft) below. There is an attractive Colonial church located on the main square; and the citizens are well known for their earthenware (alfareria) – including clay cooking pots and jugs (cantaros) – that are hand-decorated and fired using open, wood-burning ovens
However, the most notable tourist draw is the stunning viewpoint over the Sonche Canyon, 1 km (0.6 miles) east of Huancas. Additionally, 3 km (1.9 miles) north of Huancas, is Huanca Urco hill, with views of where the Sonche, Vitaya and Utcubamba Rivers meet. On a clear day, the top part of Gocta Falls can be seen.[2]
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